Dust and Particulate Control for Liquid Manure Storage Practices - Impermeable Covers

Covering a manure storage area with an impermeable cover prevents the release of dust and gases into the atmosphere. Polyethylene covers typically range in prices from $1.00 to $1.40 per square foot, installed.

Wind damage and snow-load damage present the greatest challenges to implement the extended use of impermeable covers. Damage due to weather effects alters the life of the cover, impacting the capital investment required over time. Many manufacturers list a useful life of 10 years if the facility is constructed to prevent snow accumulation on the cover but do not provide any guarantee against wind damage.

Extension Publications

• PM 1973a Practices to Reduce Dust and Particulates from Livestock Operations (pdf)
• PM 1973b Practices to Reduce Dust and Particulates from Livestock Operations Flowchart (pdf)
• EDC 162h Air Quality and Animal Agriculture (pdf)
• PM 1936 Air Quality Resources for Iowa Animal Agriculture (pdf)
• PM 1935 Gaseous Emissions from Animal Agriculture (pdf)
• PM 1964 Odor Control Methods Used by Iowa Pork Producers (pdf)
• PM-1754c Iowa Odor Control Demonstration Project Biocovers (pdf)
• FS925-A Understanding Livestock Odors (pdf)
• FS925-D Covers for Manure Storage Units (pdf)
• AEN 84 Using Covers to Minimize Odor and Gas Emissions from Manure Storages (pdf)

Abstracts, Conference Proceedings, Presentations and Reports

• Odor Rating System Demonstration Project U of MN
• Final Report Economic Evaluation of Manure Storage Covers (pdf)
• Final Report 1997 Evaluation of Various Swine Waste Storage Covers for Odor Control
• Final Report 1997 Monitoring and Evaluating Covers for Odor Control

Journal Articles

Newsletter Articles

Other Links

• Section 3 Outdoor Air Quality (MWPS-18)
• Minimizing Odor Generation, LPES Curriculum Lesson 41 (pdf)
• U o f MN Frequently Asked Questions about Covers